Room of Mirrors
So many ideas on reflections,
On what is shown by mirrors.
Sometimes it's who you truly are,
Other times an evil alternate you.
Even rarer are other people,
Reflectons of their lives in glass,
Mirrors as portals through the world,
And the mirror is relevant always.
I know some that give shivers,
That I wouldn't trust at all,
And others that are comforting,
Letting me relax before their call,
So give me the room where mirrors stay,
Let's see what all of them will say.
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Inspirations from Ramadan culminating to Eid al-Fitr in 2023
Swimming in a sea of daily devotional milestones, I could only offer shorter Jumu'ah Khuthbah in Ramadan! These were...
Day 1 of Ramadan 2023
#1. I like to ask the question “what’s bothering you?” from myself and others, when I see a gloomy cloud hovering above.
And for almost every answer to that question, you can see the solution vividly- “Be grateful”.
And it’s true - gratitude can help us see all of our problems in a completely different light. It can help us focus on finding solutions rather than complaining. It helps us stay positive and happy, even in tough situations. It helps us work even harder in life so we never take anything for granted.
Gratitude is the only mindset that lies at the heart of patience, happiness and hard work.
Due to gratitude, you are compelled into service, Subhana'Allah, as expounded by our Tariqa:
#2. On that note of gratitude, this Ramadan also represents my willing fast of Ada, my Physiotherapist, who I recognise as a Godsend. When she first told me, I was able to set aside my nafs and affirm that she had to leave.
What's more, I keep being shown the immense resonance we share:
- we never tire of heartful chat, to the point we are both confused by sexual fluidity!
- her hubby is born on the same day as you twins!
- even our monthlies timed in the end!
#3. Being made to recognise the critical role of Rabita, I was able to transform my patriarchal judgement of our former leaders, who are our knots on the rope to Allah!
They wouldn't have been able to be where they are, without key womenfolk that buttressed them there as our collective leaders!
Reflecton on the 8th and 2nd day of Jumu'ah in Ramadan
#1. Shaykh Nishaat echoed haqq when he said that spiritual energy is tangibly felt in the body during the action of Rabita (heart connection). In Ramadan, it becomes apparent that our spiritual selves need a body to rest upon.
Our emotional and spiritual sides need to be nurtured in the body. Therfore, we are blessed to materialise physical, emotional and spiritual synchronicity through the practice of fasting in Ramadan!
#2. Then we were blessed with a Ramadan Saturday Sohbet where Shaykh Taner and Anne related that Allah created us in a way that we can make mistakes to learn from. However, it is "cheaper" to learn from others' mistakes!
Fasting is an exercise of exhibiting our behaviour when we're hungry. Allah gives us the opportunity to tame our nafs because our focus should be Allah through connection, devotion, and being grateful!
However, what's tricky is when our nafs can divert us with an obsession with enumerating our devotions, especially in Ramadan! However, we have to do our devotions intently and with love as a yearly opportunity to refresh our imaan.
#3. Another constant illuminary of ours, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, related that Allah is As-Samad (The Eternal and Independent) and Al-Ghani (Self-sufficiient One), and Ramadan is our opportunity to experience that! Through our free will that chooses to refrain from our usual comforts, as opposed to performing an outright action, Insha'Allah! 💓🤲
Jumu'ah Khuthbah: 14 April 2023
We have entered into the final 10 days of Ramadan, Alhamdulillah, for the renewed purpose this Ramadan has brought.
Undoubtedly a richer Ramadan to previous years. Ya Shakur for Shaykh Taner and team's English translated version of the holy Qur'an, which has made it so!
#1. Shaykh Nishaat spoke of gratefulness in one's state of being, beyond one's mind. The practice of gratefulness opens a myriad of experiences with Allah, where one is made to experience all things good; such as greater kindness, humility, softness, generosity, etc
Just as my surrender of my former Physiotherapist has been rewarded with another mighty interesting and soulful Therapist, leaving me swimming in an ocean of deep gratefulness!
#2. In a learning circle, your Rehbir Abbu reflected how a congregational Zikr channels concentrated spiritual energy, akin to a magnifying glass transferring the sun's heat / energy to another surface! Through the practice of Zikr, we also enact Allah's name in our actions.
#3. I came upon an undeniable verse in the Qur’an, as an accident survivor, Subhana'Allah and Ya Shakur! Shaykh Nishaat, at one point, mentioned that I am having a raw and real relationship with Allah in the very moment.
And also in your own selves (are signs). Can you not see them? - (Al Dhariyat 21)
Jumu'ah Khuthbah: 21 April 2023
#1. Today, we enter Ramadan Jamat ul-Vida, which is the last Jumu'ah before Eid ul-Fitr. This day holds a lot of significance during the month of Ramadan! Shaykh Nishaat reminded us of this on another Jumu'ah that was highlighted as Laylatul Qadr (the night of decree or power when the Qur'an was revealed).
I was armed with purpose in seeking Allah's forgiveness with gratitude for connecting the deepest with His words in the Qur'an, through Shaykh Taner and team's translated and chronological version.
#2. Shaykh Nishaat mirrored an undeniable truth where in Ramadan, we are given the opportunity to sharpen our focus on Allah! That's because we are in this life for a short time, as realised through the sudden parting with your Uncle Fazeel and Uncle Moeayne...Allah bless their beautiful souls 🤲
Given our short term in our worldly lives, we shouldn't worry about the things that we can't control! The question comes down to whether we have spent our time feeding our nafs or with Allah?
#3. This is the deepest I have gone into the Qur'an where I meet an unending sense of awe and further future inquisition. In my 19th Juz, did I even go into poetic Ramadan hal (ecstasy) 🥹🙈
Signs
A blessed life partner was he designed to be
An undeniable faith affirming love story
All praise and gratitude to Al-Musawwir, Who shaped ours with Divine Love
When he intimated that our connection was deeper than the norm
A large tree mystically sprinkled fine flowers
Beautifully nestled upon the emancipation gained in one another
When looking onto the horizon...
A dolphin leapt into the air
Akin to it, one mustered courage to take the leap of faith
How can one possibly deny the Divine favours?
That rose above potentially destructive truths
Instead, opening the floodgates to devotion
The happenings thereafter were further signs
A rocky road to Sufism
Shared parenthood and even a near-death experience
Looking to Divine Scripture for affirmation of faith
When our love story is just that
Divine gratitude to the Source of Love
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